UH's Costi And Fisherbaugh Combine For One-Hitter In 3-0 Shutout Over UCSB

HONOLULU -
The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team (22-8) finished a sweep of the double-header over the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (9-12) with a 3-0 victory at the Les Murakami Stadium, on the strength of a one-hitter by Justin Costi and Darrell Fisherbaugh. Costi (4-0) gave up just one hit in 6.1 innings while striking out a career-high 10 batters to get the win while Fisherbaugh earned his fifth save of the season. Brian Tracy (1-4) took the loss for UCSB.

The one-hitter was UH's 17th in school history, and its 11th in a seven-inning game. It marked the first time since 1992 that Hawai`i recorded a one-hitter in a seven inning game. It's also the second one-hitter by UH this season after Steven Wright one hit Loyola Marymount in February, marking the first time since 1990 that the Rainbows have recorded two one-hitters in the same season.

Costi has now been in on both of UH's shutouts this season. The senior also gave up just two hits in a 5.0-inning shutout against Western Illinois that was shortened due to rain.

Offensively, Luis Avila led the way, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a double. Derek DuPree added a 1-for-2 game with a triple, a run and an RBI. Justin Frash continued his hot hitting with a 2-for-2 game with a run and an intentional walk. Freshman Nathan Young also played well, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.

The 'Bows squandered opportunities early on, leaving a total of five runners on base in the first three innings. Hawai`i finally broke through in the fifth. DuPree tripled in Young to score the game's first run before Avila smacked a double to the right-center gap, bringing in two more UH runs to make it 3-0.

That was all that Costi needed as the senior faced the minimum amount of batters through five innings. He kept UCSB off the board through 6.1 before giving way to Fisherbaugh, who recorded a strikeout and a ground out to close out the victory.

UH and the Gauchos will close their three-game series tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. at the Les Murakami Stadium.